Matheesha Pathirana: Profile, Stats, Records, and Achievements

Matheesha Pathirana, often referred to as “Baby Malinga,” is a Sri Lankan fast bowler known for his impressive skills, including late rises, fast yorkers, and remarkable swing. Born in Kandy, he has established himself in various formats and leagues, showcasing a unique sling action that echoes the style of Lasith Malinga. Pathirana’s journey highlights a swift rise in the world of modern pace bowling, as he gains recognition in T20 leagues and international matches. His bowling style is characterized by unpredictability; he may approach the crease with a calm demeanor, only to deliver surprising cutters and toe-crushing yorkers that can lead to crucial wickets. Despite his exceptional talent, he also exhibits human moments, such as glancing at the scoreboard and taking a breath during intense performances.

Early Promise and International Breakthroughs
From U-19 Fields to National Debut
Pathirana’s cricketing footnotes trace back to the ICC U‑19 World Cups in 2020 and again in 2022, where his wicket-taking ability gave early hints of his potential . The young right-arm quick’s action was already drawing comparisons to Malinga, signaling both the weight of expectation and the craft he was beginning to hone.
His T20I debut came in August 2022 against Afghanistan, and his ODI debut swiftly followed in June 2023—he trapped Rahmat Shah as his first scalp . A breakout moment arrived in the same year: a career-best 4 for 32 against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, earning him the Player of the Match—and cementing his arrival on the wider stage .
Record-breaking T20I Performances
February 2024 brought his most striking milestone: Pathirana surpassed Lasith Malinga’s record for the most wickets by a Sri Lankan fast bowler in a bilateral T20I series. He claimed eight wickets across three matches against Afghanistan, his tally overshadowing even the great Malinga’s seven in a comparable series . That display mirrored not just raw pace, but a calculating skill in exploiting pressure overs and turning the game on its head.

Franchise Fame and IPL Stardom
IPL Origins and Rise with CSK
In IPL 2022, Chennai Super Kings signed Pathirana as an injury replacement. MS Dhoni famously fast‑tracked the signing, seeing potential in footage from a local school match—his intervention turning destiny . In his debut, Pathirana cleaned up Shubman Gill with his first ball—a rare feat, made rarer as the first Sri Lankan and only the ninth bowler overall to do so .
He truly burst into IPL stardom in 2023, becoming the youngest overseas player to win an IPL title and racking up 19 wickets in the season—a purple-cap-worthy haul in a high-octane league . His economical death bowling and late-game intelligence were key reasons behind CSK’s triumph and his own burgeoning reputation.
IPL 2024–2026: Injuries, Retention, Record Purchase
The 2024 season was cut short by a hamstring injury, yet Pathirana still delivered 13 wickets in just six games—proof of both his impact and CSK’s confidence, who retained him into 2025 .
His value continued to surge. At the end of 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders made headlines by signing him in the mini-auction for a record INR 18 crore—making him the highest-paid Sri Lankan player in IPL history .

Style, Metrics, and Bowling Craft
Sling Action & Yorker Wizardry
True to the “Malinga” comparisons, Pathirana’s low‑arm action generates late movement and deceptive bounce, despite not being express pace. His lower-arm release, combined with cutters and knuckleballs, makes his death‑overs work particularly difficult for batsmen .
Hawk-Eye clocked one of his deliveries in IPL 2023 at 150.8 kph—the fastest by a Sri Lankan ever recorded in the league . His yorker accuracy is extreme: one source notes a top‑tier 78% accuracy rate, rare even among veteran death‑over specialists .
Stats at a Glance (circa early 2026)

T20I: About 35 matches, 52 wickets, best 4/24, economy around 7.45 .
IPL: Roughly 28 matches for CSK, 42 wickets, best of 4/37, economy near 7.89 .
LPL (Sri Lanka): Around 22 matches, 31 wickets, best of 5/22, economy roughly 7.12 .

Those economical lines in high-pressure formats shine a spotlight on not just his pace—but precision, game theory, and composure.

Recent Comeback & International Form
The story hasn’t been without blips. In 2025, form and injuries limited Pathirana’s appearances, and CSK released him from their roster mid-season .
However, his narrative took an inspiring turn. He credited intense repetition in practice and rehabilitation to regaining his smooth, low release—closer to the Malinga magic of his breakout days . That return to form heralds his renewed relevance—and flexibility as both a domestic death-over ace and a fixture in Sri Lanka’s planning for major tournaments, including the T20 World Cup.

Expert Insight

“He learns very quickly and absorbs information… We had an X‑factor in Matheesha.”
This quote, from former coach Silverwood after Asia Cup performances, captures Pathirana’s dual value: raw speed and a sharp tactical mind .

Conclusion
Matheesha Pathirana stands at a crossroads where youthful exuberance meets tactical maturity. From his dramatic under‑19 rise to IPL glory and international record-breaking, his trajectory reads like a thrill ride. His sling action—a factor of both spectacle and strategy—makes him unpredictable. Yet beneath that unpredictability lies a calculated precision, shown in his yorkers, cutter variations, and ability to perform under pressure.
The next few years may define his legacy—not just as “Baby Malinga,” but as a death‑overs maestro in his own right. Whether he leads Sri Lanka’s pace pack, dominates in franchise T20s, or pushes records further, the fast-bowling world has already noticed. And fans—well—they’re tuned in for every wobble, run, and yorker.

FAQs
Who is Matheesha Pathirana and why is he called “Baby Malinga”?
He is a Sri Lankan fast bowler known for a low‑arm action and yorker skills that mirror Lasith Malinga. The nickname reflec